Musetti Shines in Spectacular Match Against Moutet for Barcelona QF Spot
Rublev ties ATP 500 record with Zverev by advancing to the quarter-finals
April 16, 2026
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell | Trofeo Conde de Godó
Lorenzo Musetti showcasing his skills against Corentin Moutet on Thursday in Barcelona.
By Andy West
Lorenzo Musetti displayed exceptional poise against the crafty Corentin Moutet on Thursday afternoon, earning a place in the quarter-finals at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.
The No. 9 ranked player in the PIF ATP Rankings triumphed with a score of 6-3, 6-4 in a thrilling showdown on Pista Rafa Nadal. Moutet, despite navigating a wrist injury that limited his topspin backhand, used his slice skillfully to keep Musetti alert. However, it wasn’t enough to secure a win in this highlight-packed 1 hour and 41-minute match.
Musetti clinched a key break of serve at 5-4 in the second set, a point that epitomized the match’s intensity. Moutet kept the rally alive with stunning defensive skills, including a perfectly timed lob that grazed the baseline before Musetti seized control and finished with a pinpoint cross-court backhand.
WHAT. A. FINISH. 😱 @Lorenzo1Musetti and Moutet serve up yet another exhilarating point! @bcnopenbs | #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/yIFNmGF2kJ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 16, 2026
“Corentin is an incredible defender,” Musetti commented on the match. “His touch and footwork make it tough to break through. In the end, I sealed it with a great cross-court backhand. I’m thrilled about my patience and attitude on the court today.”
With this win, Musetti improved his record to 3-0 against Moutet in their Lexus ATP Head2Head encounters. Currently, he stands at 9-4 for the season, as noted by the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, after rebounding from three consecutive losses to reach his second quarter-final in Barcelona.
“The conditions were tricky today with the wind,” Musetti explained. “It changed directions frequently, making it hard to adapt. I focused on playing every point like it was my last, and in the end, I got the win, which is what matters most.”
Next up for the 24-year-old Musetti in Catalonia will be either ninth seed Arthur Fils or Brandon Nakashima, who are set to clash in the final match of Thursday’s agenda.
Earlier, fifth seed Andrey Rublev overcame a slow start to reach a remarkable 33rd ATP 500 quarter-final, tying with Alexander Zverev—who also reached this milestone by defeating Gabriel Diallo in Munich. After battling back from an early 0-2 deficit, Rublev cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Lorenzo Sonego. The 17-time ATP Tour champion will face Tomas Machac for a spot in the semi-finals.
